Mark of Brass
"I'm letting you go." He glanced away from the Marshall to the rugged, calloused and bruised man who had just been brought to the room. "Y-you're... giving me a mark?" The slave dropped to his knees, "T-thank-" "No." "I d-don't under-" The man froze, "No. No! Please! Titan, no!" He kicked and screamed, but was escorted out. "The pit?" He said. The djinn simply smiled.The mark of brass is an emblem in the form of a hand, the symbol of the Titan's Fist, and yet it is much more than that. It is a passport to Gorgoth, a certificate that one is not a slave and cannot be put in chains.
Purpose
"Only in Gorgoth do you need a license to be free."Within the Valley of Tears the official purpose of the marks of brass are to differentiate between citizens and slaves. However, due to the fact that they are objects and no direct link can be traced between them and their owners, they are tradeable. Furthermore, this has mutated them over time into the highest form of currency for the rich. Common knowledge places the value of a mark at about half a person's life, which people are understandably inclined to value very highly. Anyone needing to travel to or by the city is a fool to do so without one, and so the people who do so come in two types. Those who can afford to, and those who resort to robbery or murder.
Document Structure
Clauses
Officially, marks are only given out by the Fist to those born to non-slave families within the city. However, it is common knowledge that the Sultans are often allowed to bid for extras.
The rights offered by owning a mark include but are not limited to:
- Right to be free to travel to, out of, and within the city of Gorgoth without being enslaved.
- Right to own and trade goods and property within the city, including slaves.
- Right to protection of the above rights by the Titan's Fist.
Caveats
To a slave, possession of a mark that was not granted to them by their masters or the Fist is a one way ticket to the pit. Similarly for the person who gave it to them, if any.
Owning more than a single mark is grounds to be accused of trading, and if proved stripped of all of them and sold into slavery.
Legal status
The original purpose of the marks is enforced by the Titan's Fist, who also control their manufacture. However even beyond the valley gate they retain their value, if not moreso, since the Fist cannot even attempt to prevent their trade when not within their area of influence.
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